Trump-backed Air Force veteran wins GOP runoff in newly-redistricted House district
Carlos de la Cruz Projected to Win Texas’ 35th Congressional Seat
The newly redrawn Texas‑35 district is expected to flip to Republican control in a close race between Army veteran Carlos de la Cruz and longtime San Antonio state lawmaker John Lujan. Early returns and post‑election analysis suggest de la Cruz will edge out Lujan by a narrow margin, marking a shift in a district that was previously a Democratic stronghold.
The election, held on Tuesday, comes after a March primary in which Lujan defeated de la Cruz 33 % to 27 %. De la Cruz advanced to the general‑election ballot with the backing of President Donald Trump, his sister Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R‑Texas, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R‑Louisiana. The campaign emphasized de la Cruz’s military service, which includes deployments to the Middle East and the U.S.‑Mexico border, as well as his family’s long‑standing ties to Texas politics.
A District Redrawn for Republicans
The 35th district was reconfigured after the 2023 redistricting cycle, adding the San Antonio suburbs to the area previously represented by Democrat Gregorio Casar, a member of the “Squad” who opted to run in an adjacent district. The new map, which has passed legal challenges, is considered considerably more favorable to Trump‑aligned candidates. The change came after Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett chose not to seek re‑election, a decision that left the seat open and increased Republican interest.
The redistricting effort has been lauded by the Trump administration as a means to secure additional GOP seats nationwide. The new boundaries also bring a majority‑Hispanic population into a district that historically leaned Democratic, making the upcoming contest one of the most watched races in the state.
Debate Over Democratic Candidates
While the Republican side consolidated support behind de la Cruz, the Democratic primary saw controversy. Maureen Galindo, who ran under the Democratic banner, lost the primary and sparked nationwide criticism for comments she made about using an ICE detention center in the district to incarcerate wealthy “Zionists.” The remarks were denounced as antisemitic by Democrats across the spectrum, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Their condemnation highlighted the broader national backlash against Galindo’s statements and underscored the internal divisions within the party.
Despite this turmoil, Democratic strategists remain optimistic about the district’s future, citing its strong Hispanic demographic and the possibility of a shift in voter sentiment away from the new GOP‑friendly map.
Historical Family Connections
The de la Cruz family’s potential rise to the House is part of a rare trend of siblings serving simultaneously in Congress. Carlos follows in the footsteps of his sister, Rep. Monica de la Cruz, who represents Texas’ 33rd district. The phenomenon is not unprecedented: early Congress leaders such as Frederick Muhlenberg, the first Speaker of the House, served alongside his brother in the late 18th century, and more recently the Washburn brothers held seats in the 1850s and 1860s. Even in recent years, sisters Loretta and Linda Sanchez served in the California delegation during the first decade of the 2000s. The de la Cruz siblings could become the next family duo to break that historical pattern.
The Outcome and Its Implications
Projected results indicate a win for de la Cruz, but the margin remains uncertain until official canvassing is complete. Analysts note that turnout in the Republican‑leaning suburbs, as well as any residual Democratic enthusiasm following the primary controversy, could tip the scales.
Should de la Cruz secure the seat, it would add a new Republican voice from the Texas‑35 district to a House already dominated by GOP members. It would also reinforce the Trump administration’s narrative that redistricting can effectively reshape political landscapes.
For voters in the newly drawn district, the race highlights the broader national debate over how demographic shifts, redistricting, and party endorsements influence electoral outcomes. Whether the district ultimately swings or stays in flux remains to be seen as the November election approaches.
